On APTA Michigan’s Waves podcast, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Bill McGehee, current Speaker of APTA’s House of Delegates (term ending Dec. 31, 2026), about his background as a physical therapist and Tufts University DPT clinical professor, and his path from chapter service in Illinois to APTA House of Delegates Speaker of the House (elected 2020). McGehee explains the House as the membership’s representative body of 450+ delegates from 51 chapters and 18 sections that sets association policy and positions, adopts bylaws and the profession’s vision, and elects APTA leaders, while the Board of Directors holds fiduciary responsibility for the $50M organization and must balance House priorities with strategy, risk, and timing. He discusses the speaker’s leadership/servant role, the value of mission and vision as a “North Star,” and how Roberts Rules protect minority voices and keep proceedings productive. McGehee’s “soapbox” is that society knows what PTs do; key barriers are access and other constraints, and PTs should lead and practice at the topof their scope.

If you are a PT or PTA in Michigan, you can earn PDR creditfor license renewal just by listening to this episode! Fill out the Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant General Response Form from LARA and save it for your records.

00:00 Welcome to Waves

00:52 Meet Bill McGehee

03:50 Service Path to Leadership

06:14 Running for Vice Speaker

09:02 Speaker Role and House Purpose

12:12 House Energy and North Star

15:21 Speaker as Leader and Servant

19:02 Board Duties and Tension

22:04 Strategic Plan Reality Check

23:18 Why Motions Get Opposed

23:48 Covington’s Vulnerable Moment

25:48 Trust and Communication Gaps

28:20 Robert’s Rules Explained

29:47 Learning to Chair Efficiently

35:25 Delegate Mindset Shift

37:33 Soapbox on PT Value

40:19 Wrap Up and Credits